₦airaland Forum

Please, I need clarity.

A friend of mine applied for a B1/B2 visa, but was denied earlier this year. They scheduled another B1/B2 visa interview appointment, slated for the 2nd quarter of 2026, on an official work purpose.

They are also currently awaiting their admission for a master's program for which they are expecting full or almost full funding for Fall 2026.

Based on that, the timeline for the official assignment in the US and the school resumption in Aug 2026 will be within the 3-month visa validity.

If they do get approved for the B1/B2 visa, how do they go about the F1 visa, as the month difference is just 3 months for the school resumption without raising a red flag?

Can they go through the adjustment of status from B1/B2 to F1 while on that official assignment in the US? Will there be enough time to even do this and still be able to resume school on time?

Thank you as you respond to these questions.

Please I made my MRV payment at first bank since a week now yet my payment hasn't been confirmed on AVITS. I have visited first bank and they said everything is correct based on the print out yet the payment haven't reflected on my profile to enable me book a date. Is there any how I can navigate this issue? I don't even have another money to pay again as this is my fourth attempt with full funding 😭😭😭

I had a similar issue and from my experience, it is not all the customer care officers at the bank branches that understand the way the US visa payment works. It will shock you to know that in my case, the customer care officer who attended to me at the bank branch I visited told me that the account number I sent money to is not a First Bank account number. At the end, he admitted that he probably does not have access to the platform for the US visa fee payment and that I should continue to follow up with their customer care contact via a phone call as I had made some phone calls before then but they kept telling me that they were working on it which was why I decided to go to the bank. After leaving the bank, I called the customer care again and they asked me the same set of questions they had asked previously and told me they were working on it. Meanwhile, I had also sent an email to their customer care and kept sending reminders and eventually the money was reversed to my account.

See below their customer care contacts: +2347080625000; Complaints@firstbankgroup.com

Pascal88:
Please I made my MRV payment at first bank since a week now yet my payment hasn't been confirmed on AVITS. I have visited first bank and they said everything is correct based on the print out yet the payment haven't reflected on my profile to enable me book a date. Is there any how I can navigate this issue? I don't even have another money to pay again as this is my fourth attempt with full funding 😭😭😭

Thanks for your thoughtful input. I have done that on my pending appointment section but I couldn't automatically book dates as the payment wasn't confirmed automatically as it supposed to be. When I try to manually confirm it by inputting the bank reference number and the date of payment it shows "given payment reference doesn't exist". Based on this I have raised another support ticket of which is currently on hold.

Maybe I will utilize your last option of sending an email to see if it works.

I wouldn't know if anything is wrong with my profile because from my end everything seems ok, aside from the fact that my previous 2 denials was in cameroon.

●▪︎

Login to your Avits and click on " Pending Appointment. It should take you to calendar where you will pick a date. Physical payment at the bank, if done appropriately should validate your payment and give you access to picking a date within 48hrs (at worst).

As the last resort you can follow the embassy guideline as follow :



If you have challenges scheduling your appointment or you had a valid GTBank/First Bank receipt and having issues using the receipts on the new appointment portal, email us at

LagosNIV@state.gov ( Copy avits amentum : nigeria@usvisaappt.com)


With the following information:

USE THIS SUBJECT LINE: V44 - Unable to Schedule Appointment on AVITS

Full name
Date of birth
DS-160 Confirmation number (starts with AA)
Passport Number
Copy of GT/1st Bank Receipt
A short description of your situation including screen shots if applicable.

As per your 4th attempt with full-funding, dont you think you are doing something wrong and without you detecting and addressing the culprit, they will keep denying the visa.[/quote]

I actually made the payment at first bank office with cash because I do not have an account with them and that's my biggest concern. You will pay online problem, you will take the risk and go to the bank with your own money still problem. Omo they should resolve this problem for me o because I'm financially drained right now.[color=#990000][/color]

Oluwaseun2025:
I had a similar issue and from my experience, it is not all the customer care officers at the bank branches that understand the way the US visa payment works. It will shock you to know that in my case, the customer care officer who attended to me at the bank branch I visited told me that the account number I sent money to is not a First Bank account number. At the end, he admitted that he probably does not have access to the platform for the US visa fee payment and that I should continue to follow up with their customer care contact via a phone call as I had made some phone calls before then but they kept telling me that they were working on it which was why I decided to go to the bank. After leaving the bank, I called the customer care again and they asked me the same set of questions they had asked previously and told me they were working on it. Meanwhile, I had also sent an email to their customer care and kept sending reminders and eventually the money was reversed to my account.

See below their customer care contacts: +2347080625000; Complaints@firstbankgroup.com

Efetobore1980:
●▪︎

Yes they can do adjustment of status but, here is my best advice for them : (1). While filling the visa applicatiin form for their B1/B2, they should indicate visiting their host-University (campus tour) as part of their places of visit in the United States. (2). When they are through on their official work assigments in the United States, then they should return to Nigeria and apply for their F1 visas.


Back to their original Intention:

Changing from B1/B2 to F1- Visa after arrival in the U.S is a very frustrating, cumbersome procedures, and profile risk effort. Your number-1 challenge is, doing something inconsistent with your manner of entry (b1/b2) within 90 days of entering, which is considered presumptively (you have planned it before due to reasons advantageous to you) fraudulent. Your number -2 challenge is that, while Change- of Status is still pending, you must maintain your B1/B2 status, and cannot attend lectures in your SEVP-certified program until USCIS approves your change of status request.

Well, if you are determine and ready to pay the price, all you need to do is to file Form I-539 = Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status " with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You may google the procedure or visit the U.S embassy official web.

Thank you for the response.
So based on your comment about them including visiting the university campus while in US in the DS160 for B1/B2 application, actually the Official purpose of the B1/B2 is for an official work related workshop.

The F1 is a personal pursuit that has nothing to do with the B1/B2 and their company is not aware.

Also won’t it be a red flag to comeback to Nigeria after the workshop after being issued “B” category visa, and two months later head back to the embassy again for “F” category visa?

My friend just wants to ensure they are doing the right thing and raise a red flag at the embassy.

Trey195:
Please, I need clarity.

A friend of mine applied for a B1/B2 visa, but was denied earlier this year. They scheduled another B1/B2 visa interview appointment, slated for the 2nd quarter of 2026, on an official work purpose.

They are also currently awaiting their admission for a master's program for which they are expecting full or almost full funding for Fall 2026.

Based on that, the timeline for the official assignment in the US and the school resumption in Aug 2026 will be within the 3-month visa validity.

If they do get approved for the B1/B2 visa, how do they go about the F1 visa, as the month difference is just 3 months for the school resumption without raising a red flag?

Can they go through the adjustment of status from B1/B2 to F1 while on that official assignment in the US? Will there be enough time to even do this and still be able to resume school on time?

Thank you as you respond to these questions.

If they are going to school then the business meeting is of not relevance.
Seems they are trying not to lose both opportunities.

To be honest, your friend or you don't have admission nor funding as at today so trying to game next year today is fruitless.

Stop.

When or if you get admission and student funding and you get an date for F1 visa appointment then you have something to discuss.

Adjustment of statement of status on visiting visa is a process, it can take weeks and months.
So you can not come in Aug for business conference then suddenly expect you can adjust for the admission in university in September.

Taal17:
You might want to start applying for courses and determine which schools you want that require a WES evaluation. That way you decide how you will spend in terms of schools that need WES and are worth your time.

Please can one pay for the SEVIS fee from Western union app or you have to go in person to the WU office to pay?

snoopy:
Yes, the H4 visa is restrictive in the sense that you are not allowed to work. However, there's a way around it.

Typically H-1B visa holders transition to an EB-2 or EB-3 immigrant visa. So the way around it is for the primary H-1b holder to file an I-140 immigrant visa application (the H-1b employer usually applies after 6 months of satisfactory work by the H-1b staff). They could apply using a priority application (this usually takes 3 weeks max) or a non-priority application (over 1 year). I will advise that if the employer does not choose to apply using priority, the primary applicant can suggest to pay for it depending on how long you would like to get over with the process.

Once the I-140 is approved, meaning you already have an approved immigrant visa application and are only waiting for your priority date to be current, you can then apply for H4 EAD (Employment Authorization), which typically takes 6-8 months depending on the volume of applications. This will then allow you to work with your H4 and support your spouse.

Yes, this is possible but not as straight forward as you posted.

Before the I-140 can be filed, there are a few stages
1. Prevailing wage determination (could take up to 3 - 6 months)
2. Testing the Labour market ( Advertising the job on about 5 platforms including websites, Newspaper adverts, job sites, Radio, TV etc ) to be sure there's no one willing / able to do the job. (Takes about 3 months)
3. Apply for PERM Approval from Dept of Labour. (could take up to 6 -12 months ) and pray your case is not audited (that could stretch the time by another 3-6 months)
4. After PERM Approval, apply for I-140 which could take like 6 months except you do premium processing which is about 3 weeks.

One upside is that your Priority date is the date you put in your PERM application, so you would have gained some time by the time your approval comes. If God helps you, your priority date may even be current by the time approval arrives, so you can file I-140, Green Card and Work Authorization (EAD) concurrently, else you wait till for filing date in visa bulletin. If God help you again, your EAD can come as fast as 4 weeks of applying, but could also take longer to arrive.

I wish the person asking all the best and God speed. Amen !!!

Efetobore1980:
●▪︎

Yes they can do adjustment of status but, here is my best advice for them : (1). While filling the visa applicatiin form for their B1/B2, they should indicate visiting their host-University (campus tour) as part of their places of visit in the United States. (2). When they are through on their official work assigments in the United States, then they should return to Nigeria and apply for their F1 visas.


Back to their original Intention:

Changing from B1/B2 to F1- Visa after arrival in the U.S is a very frustrating, cumbersome procedures, and profile risk effort. Your number-1 challenge is, doing something inconsistent with your manner of entry (b1/b2) within 90 days of entering, which is considered presumptively (you have planned it before due to reasons advantageous to you) fraudulent. Your number -2 challenge is that, while Change- of Status is still pending, you must maintain your B1/B2 status, and cannot attend lectures in your SEVP-certified program until USCIS approves your change of status request.

Well, if you are determine and ready to pay the price, all you need to do is to file Form I-539 = Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status " with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You may google the procedure or visit the U.S embassy official web.

Its possible, but the person will need to do premium processing so they can be sure that the approval will be obtained before the non immigrant status runs out. Premium processing will also help you not to run out of time in case you're given RFE or RFI.

I have actually done that but the screenshots attached were the responses I got. I have as well raised another ticket on AVITS which is currently on hold. The whole process is so nauseating and tiring 😭

Efetobore1980:
●▪︎

Follow the instruction i gave if you want it to be resolved, otherwise, you will just keep ranting and forgo the payment. The best form of MRV payment is physical cash payment at the bank. Even, the newly recruited cashier at any branch of 1st bank (that is authorised to accept U.S mrv) will automatically know the procedure to lodge mrv payment with almost zero possibility for mistake, because the procedure is like auto-pilot (auto-payment) as seen by any banker from his or her work-place computer.

■ In this respect, i will disregard @Oluwaseun2025 assertion that : not all the customer care officers at the bank branches understand the way the US visa payment works. ●● Every bank usually asign a well-trained staff into a such critical department.

I emailed Lagos

Efetobore1980:
●▪︎

No. That is not the kind of response you get if you follow my guidelines. Did you email Abuja or Lagos post ? Did you follow the email arrangement as outlined by the embassy ? You may screenshot the email you sent or screenshot your dashboard error message, lets see it.

It is interesting how you tend to assume a position of a person who knows it all. I related my experience and cited what I did to eventually get the issue resolved and you're saying you'll disregard it because of your assumption. I find that very funny.

Efetobore1980:
●▪︎

Follow the instruction i gave if you want it to be resolved, otherwise, you will just keep ranting and forgo the payment. The best form of MRV payment is physical cash payment at the bank. Even, the newly recruited cashier at any branch of 1st bank (that is authorised to accept U.S mrv) will automatically know the procedure to lodge mrv payment with almost zero possibility for mistake, because the procedure is like auto-pilot (auto-payment) as seen by any banker from his or her work-place computer.

■ In this respect, i will disregard @Oluwaseun2025 assertion that : not all the customer care officers at the bank branches understand the way the US visa payment works. ●● Every bank usually asign a well-trained staff into a such critical department.

Quite hilarious! Keep it up

Efetobore1980:
Below is your own assumption towards Nigerian Bankers who are well trained in their various departments.


not all the customer care officers at the bank branches understand the way the US visa payment works.

Your claim above 👆 is a bad label. Majority of those who post questions here are hiding a lot, and most of their ordeal is due to personal mistakes. They will not say or write it here and throws everyone into confusion and argument.

●¤
I claim a know all in the information that I read or see myself directly from the main sources. Visa fee payment from any branch of 1st bank is self explanatory, even a (literate) non-banker if sitted in front of the portal will get the road-map, not to talk of a trained banker. Though, they make mistakes, but not to the level of downgrading their skills that have been aquired over the years.

This is the response I got from my AVITS support just now. My details are all correct

Efetobore1980:
●▪︎
The response you received asked you to contact avits, but i also advised that you copy avits in your email.
Anyways, your situation is solveable but without physical sightseeing i dont think there is much i can do. I am very certain you are mixing things up somewhere.

You may approach someone with a good knowledge of the navigational skills to take a physical look, otherwise, you may likely forfeit the payment if it takes longer.

PS: Screenshot your dashboard. And have you clicked on pending appointment ?

Hello Everyone, pls I really need your input as much as possible.

I got a fully funded master programme in Civil Engineering with the specialization in Water Resources Engineering. I went for my first attempt on 10th of November and below is my transcript;
Embassy: Lagos
Date: 10th November
Window 3 (young white lady)
1st attempt
MSc in Civil Engineering
Fully funded
Status: Denied

VO: Where are you going to?

Me: I'm going to Missouri University of Science and Technology for my master degree in civil engineering with specialization in Water Resources Engineering.

VO: How many Universities did you apply to?

Me: I applied to 2 universities - Purdue and Missouri University

VO: Why Missouri University?

Me: Because Missouri University will provide the opportunity to access advanced research facilities and also, I will get to work under my advisor who is experienced in Flood research and Precipitation Estimation using Radar and Satellite data. Having access to these resources will equip me with the technical skill, training, and research experience needed to contribute to mitigating flood risk challenges in Nigeria.

She off the mic and talk to a man (white also, I think the bald man). Talked for a while then she ON it again

VO: You are going for Civil Engineering, what did you study in undergraduate? Why the change in discipline?

Me: I'm not changing my field as I will specialized in Water Resources Engineering as a division in Civil Engineering. I studied Water Resources and Environmental Engineering and graduated top of my class with a CGPA of 4.81 out of 5.0.


VO: What programming skills do you know?

Me: I am proficient with Python and Java programming, and I'm good with building a Machine Learning model also. These skills are prerequisite in my research and in fact, during my interview with my advisor, he asked if I am good with Java as it is going to be used in the research.

She commended me of how prepared I was and then off the mic again and continues talking to the man. Then ON it again

VO: Are you married?

Me: No, I am not married.

VO: So, what's your plan after the degree?

Me: I will be returning back to my country to join the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency as a researcher to contribute to solving the flood risk challenge in Nigeria.

VO: Where will you be staying when you arrive in the US?

Me: The university provided housing options and I will be finalising that on arrival.

She off the mic again, and talks to the man further, and finally, she ON it again

VO: Sorry, you do not qualify this time ....


For more context about me and what I think went wrong;
I studied Water Resources Engineering and I'm going for a master degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Water Resources Engineering with full funding. I graduated last year, 2024 and I am currently interning at a tech company as a Machine Learning Engineer. I intended to tailor the current role as a way to improve my programming and machine learning skill which are required for my research area.

So, when I was going for the first attempt, I shared my DS-160 with a friend who has passed through the process and he said, it isn't an issue if I include what I currently do. During the interview, I was asked of what programming language do I know. I believed the question was raised due to the role.

I've scheduled my next interview (17th of December) and I'm really worried and felt like my profile is bleeped up. As part of my effort, I've been able to get a job offer from an consulting firm but I don't know how to go about this over again.

What can I do? pls help me out guys.

YussufLaaro:
Hello Everyone, pls I really need your input as much as possible.

I got a fully funded master programme in Civil Engineering with the specialization in Water Resources Engineering. I went for my first attempt on 10th of November and below is my transcript;
Embassy: Lagos
Date: 10th November
Window 3 (young white lady)
1st attempt
MSc in Civil Engineering
Fully funded
Status: Denied

VO: Where are you going to?

Me: I'm going to Missouri University of Science and Technology for my master degree in civil engineering with specialization in Water Resources Engineering.

VO: How many Universities did you apply to?

Me: I applied to 2 universities - Purdue and Missouri University

VO: Why Missouri University?

Me: Because Missouri University will provide the opportunity to access advanced research facilities and also, I will get to work under my advisor who is experienced in Flood research and Precipitation Estimation using Radar and Satellite data. Having access to these resources will equip me with the technical skill, training, and research experience needed to contribute to mitigating flood risk challenges in Nigeria.

She off the mic and talk to a man (white also). Talked for a while then she ON it again

VO: You are going for Civil Engineering, what did you study in undergraduate? Why the change in discipline?

Me: I'm not changing my field as I will specialized in Water Resources Engineering as a division in Civil Engineering. I studied Water Resources and Environmental Engineering and graduated top of my class with a CGPA of 4.81 out of 5.0.


VO: What programming skills do you know?

Me: I am proficient with Python and Java programming, and I'm good with building a Machine Learning model also. These skills are prerequisite in my research and in fact, during my interview with my advisor, he asked if I am good with Java as it is going to be used in the research.

She commended me of how prepared I was and then off the mic again and continues talking to the man. Then ON it again

VO: Are you married?

Me: No, I am not married.

VO: So, what's your plan after the degree?

Me: I will be returning back to my country to join the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency as a researcher to contribute to solving the flood risk challenge in Nigeria.

VO: Where will you be staying when you arrive in the US?

Me: The university provided housing options and I will be finalising that on arrival.

She off the mic again, and talks to the man further, and finally, she ON it again

VO: Sorry, you do not qualify this time ....


For more context about me and what I think went wrong;
I studied Water Resources Engineering and I'm going for a master degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Water Resources Engineering with full funding. I graduated last year, 2024 and I am currently interning at a tech company as a Machine Learning Engineer. I intended to tailor the current role as a way to improve my programming and machine learning skill which are required for my research area.

So, when I was going for the first attempt, I shared my DS-160 with a friend who has passed through the process and he said, it isn't an issue if I include what I currently do. During the interview, I was asked of what programming language do I know. I believed the question was raised due to the role.

I've scheduled my next interview (17th of December) and I'm really worried and felt like my profile is bleeped up. As part of my effort, I've been able to get a job offer from an consulting firm but I don't know how to go about this over again.

What can I do? pls help me out guys.

Pls you guys should help me engage this, thanks. I will appreciate every inputs

Efetobore1980:
¤▪︎

No. Its on suspension for now..

Got it. Thank you!

Efetobore1980:
●▪︎

Pls disregard @nybol's comment.

There is nothing like premium process in changing from b1/b2 to f1-status frm inside the United States , and if there is, then nothing is guaranteed when it comes to U.S visa, residence permit, change of status, etc. What i am sure of is that, you can apply to extend your b1/b2 duration while you are processing your change of status to f1 in order to keep the lagality of your visitor's visa.

●▪︎ My best advice for you is to return to Nigeria for the application of the f1-visa, or if you are not bending , you should then consult a certify U.S visa attorney when you arrive the U.S. Becareful, not to be pushed into impossible stunt.

Oga, just go to USCIS website, type premium processing and see the applicable forms.
It is explicitly stated there. Please confirm before telling the person to disregard my comments. I know people that did it, so its available.
Just go to USCIS website, I'm sure of what I'm saying.

Its left to the person that needs it to confirm and seek legal counsel like you mentioned , I just wanted to put out useful information out there.
I never said approval is guaranteed, I just wanted the person to know that such option exists.
On the other hand, what will be the basis of requesting for an extension of the b1/b2 status ? , just curious

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/how-do-i-request-premium-processing

YussufLaaro:
Pls you guys should help me engage this, thanks. I will appreciate every inputs

Don't let the previous denial discourage you.
You may have done nothing wrong, and many before you who had funding were first refused then granted.

The only thing I'd say is connect your current role to its importance to your masters research.
Then maybe if you're asked about accommodation options you can mention that your funding will provide for housing costs and the university has said they assist with showing you housing options.

May you have favor this time. All the best